Screaming into the void...

[elfs]

Some days, it really feels like I'm just screaming into the void, and not getting anywhere on the professional front. I've been spending upwards of six hours a day tuning resumes and sending them out to employers, and thus far the callback rate has been .02. 50 resumes sent out: one callback. This just sucks. Today, I found a vaguely secret weapon, a list of Seattle-based start-ups, along with a calendar of when and where they hold their meet-ups, so maybe I'll go check those out and see what gives.

On the other hand, remember that little Wordpress customization job I did awhile back? I got paid for it, and like a good little drone reported my earnings to my unemployment insurance officer.

Today I get this letter from the unemployment insurance security enforcement office, with this incredibly threatening note at the top that if I'm now "self employed" and earning income as well as drawing unemployment insurance I'm committing FRAUD and could be subject to FINE OR IMPRISONMENT, and that I had better EXPLAIN that income report and how I could be earning money when I'm supposed to be LOOKING FOR WORK. (Yes, all of these words and phrases were capitalized in the original.)

I called and the nice woman at the other side said they had this come up "a lot," especially recently, and they understood that people were doing odd jobs, and yes, I was doing the right thing by reporting it, and that if I get an offer to do something like that again I should probably take it, as long as everyone understands that they're little patch assignments and I will drop it like a hot rock when the first full-time offer comes along.

So I won't get screwed. I hope.

Comments

[neoteny.livejournal.com]

_delurk_

Targeted advertising, maybe...?

http://consumerist.com/5264703/jobless-guy-buys-facebook-ads-to-land-microsoft-gig

[mauraanderson.livejournal.com]

I was doing some freelancing and got them to send me the (longish) freelance questionnaire after week 2 of them having a cow that I had worked a bit. After I did it and faxed it back, they didn't give me any more problems with it. When I earned money, I reported it all along.

[grian-ruadh.livejournal.com]

I did paid theatre jobs here and there when I was on unemployment. After an initial WTF?! from the Employment Division, they didn't bat an eyelash once things were explained. You'll be fine.

[enigmaticfox.livejournal.com]

*waves to Neoteny* :)

I know this may sound kind of corny, Elf, but have you checked out a book called "What Color Is Your Parachute?" by Richard Bolles? I found it to be a great resource when I was searching for jobs, and it also addresses the emotional impact that job-searching has (and that you touch upon here...it's very discouraging and draining). It discusses alternate methods besides the usual resume sending, and I've found it to be quite effective.

It's worth a look; see if your local library or Inter-Library Loan has a copy dated within the last 4-5 years. I think he keeps it quite updated, and he's surprisingly up on recent trends. Though I doubt he has a section on Facebook ads (seriously, that was freaking brilliant, hope everyone doesn't jump on that bandwagon though). :)

The book also has a website: http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/ -- just ignore the fact that the website is badly done, heh.

Keep pressing forward, you have lots of people rooting for you!

[littleone66.livejournal.com]

Oh yes... I did a vendor show as a pampered Chef consultant. I LOST money but reported it nonetheless. Holy cow... it generated 2 letters for me! No stay home be lazy!! Blah. I told them I did it on my time on a Saturday... bugger off!